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Official form guide
Form 8821A: IRS Disclosure Authorization for Victims of Identity Theft
IRS Form 8821-A is an authorization that lets the IRS disclose a victim’s tax return information to state or local law‑enforcement agencies in identity‑theft cases. It must be submitted by IRS Criminal Investigation or a law‑enforcement agency and received within 120 days of the taxpayer’s signature.
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IRS Form 8821A - IRS Disclosure Authorization for Victims of Identity Theft
IRS Form 8821-A is an authorization that lets the IRS disclose a victim’s tax return information to state or local law‑enforcement agencies in identity‑theft cases. It must be submitted by IRS Criminal Investigation or a law‑enforcement agency and received within 120 days of the taxpayer’s signature.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Submitting the form more than 120 days after the taxpayer’s signature makes it invalid.
- 2Leaving any required field blank or the form incomplete, causing the IRS to reject the submission.
- 3Signing with a photocopy, electronic, or non‑original signature, which the IRS will not accept.
- 4Providing an incorrect Social Security number for the taxpayer, preventing the IRS from matching the record.
- 5Omitting the law‑enforcement official’s name, title, or agency contact information, which can invalidate the authorization.
Plain English
This form lets the IRS share your tax return with police if your identity was stolen. A law‑enforcement agency fills it out, you sign it, and the agency sends it to the IRS. The IRS then can give your return details to that agency.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2021-10-26 22:13:41
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when a taxpayer victim of identity theft authorizes the IRS to disclose the taxpayer’s return, any purported return, and related information to a state or local law‑enforcement agency.
- Do not use it when the request is for any purpose other than identity‑theft related disclosure to law‑enforcement agencies.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Taxpayer needs IRS to share return information for a single tax year
The form grants permission for the IRS to disclose the return to law enforcement, satisfying identity‑theft requirements
✓ Verify the tax year matches the filed return
Multiple tax years are involved
Each additional year requires a separate completed form, as required by the instructions
✓ Ensure a separate form is prepared for each year
Law‑enforcement agency must submit the authorization on the taxpayer’s behalf
The form must be submitted by IRS Criminal Investigation or the state/local agency, as required
✓ Confirm the submission is made by an authorized agency
Deadline or filing window
The filing window opens when the taxpayer signs Form 8821‑A. The IRS must receive the form within 120 days of that signature date. Forms received after the 120‑day period are invalid. No extension is provided.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Taxpayer name and SSN
Taxpayer’s Social Security card and legal name documentation · Taxpayer Information section of the form
Tax year
Tax return for the year in question · Tax Year field
Recipient official name and title
Law‑enforcement agency’s official letterhead · Taxpayer Consent section
Recipient agency address and phone
Agency’s contact directory · Taxpayer Consent section
Taxpayer signature and date
Original handwritten signature on the form · Taxpayer Signature block
Before you submit
- 1Confirm the form is the Rev. 10‑2021 edition
- 2Enter the taxpayer’s full name, SSN, and mailing address exactly as on the return
- 3Enter the correct tax year for the return or purported return
- 4Provide the full name, title, address, and phone number of the designated law‑enforcement official
- 5Ensure the taxpayer signs the form with an original handwritten signature
- 6Date the signature on the same day the taxpayer signs
- 7Have the authorized law‑enforcement agency review and submit the completed form
- 8Mail the form to the IRS RAIVS Team address using a trackable method
How to file this form
- 1Complete all required fields on Form 8821‑A, including taxpayer information, tax year, and recipient details
- 2Obtain the taxpayer’s original handwritten signature and date on the form
- 3Have the authorized state or local law‑enforcement agency submit the signed form to the IRS
- 4Mail the form to Internal Revenue Service RAIVS Team, Stop 6716 AUSC, Austin, TX 73301 using a trackable service
- 5Retain a copy of the signed form and mailing receipt as proof of filing
Known limitations
- 1The form cannot be used for any purpose other than disclosing tax return information in identity‑theft cases. (Form p.2)
- 2The disclosed information does not include the identity of the person who filed the purported return or any investigatory details about them. (Form p.1)
- 3Only IRS Criminal Investigation or state/local law‑enforcement agencies may submit the form. (Form p.2)
- 4The IRS will reject the form if it is received more than 120 days after the taxpayer’s signature. (Form p.2)
- 5The form must contain an original signature; blank or incomplete forms are not accepted. (Form p.1)
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Entity Info
1 items
Name and taxpayer ID of the entity claiming the credit.
Credit Info
1 items
Type of credit or incentive being claimed.
Calculation
2 items
The base amount used to calculate the credit.
Calculated credit amount after applying formulas and limitations.
Certification
1 items
Detailed breakdown supporting the credit calculation.
Signatures
1 items
Sign and date the form.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form 8821-A is the October 2021 revision (Rev. 10‑2021); the source does not indicate a newer edition.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the form shows Rev. 10‑2021 (October 2021) on the cover page
- Fee — Not stated in the official source
- Mailing address — confirm the form is mailed to Internal Revenue Service RAIVS Team, Stop 6716 AUSC, Austin, TX 73301
- Signature — verify the taxpayer’s original signature and date are present; the IRS rejects unsigned or blank forms
- Original signature requirement — confirm the signature is not a photocopy or electronic copy
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep the original signed Form 8821-A in personal records.
- 2Retain a copy of the mailing receipt or proof of delivery showing the date sent.
- 3Verify that the IRS received the form within 120 days of the taxpayer’s signature.
- 4If the form is returned as incomplete or unsigned, submit a corrected Form 8821-A promptly.
- 5Store the copy for at least three years in case of future inquiries.
Sources
- SRCForm p.2 — purpose limited to identity‑theft disclosures only.
- SRCForm p.1 — does not include identity of person who filed purported return.
- SRCForm p.2 — submission must be by IRS Criminal Investigation or state/local law‑enforcement agencies.
- SRCForm p.2 — IRS must receive within 120 days of taxpayer’s signature; later submissions are invalid.
- SRCForm p.1 — original signature required; blank or incomplete forms not accepted.
- SRCForm p.2 — taxpayer must provide name, SSN, address, and tax year.
- SRCForm p.2 — must include full name and title of law‑enforcement official, agency name, address, and telephone number.
- SRCForm p.2 — estimated average time to complete is 9 minutes.
- SRCForm p.2 — mailing address: Internal Revenue Service RAIVS Team, Stop 6716 AUSC, Austin, TX 73301.
- SRCForm p.2 — form is an authorization signed by the taxpayer allowing IRS disclosure to law‑enforcement.
Common confusion points
Can I sign this form myself or does a law‑enforcement official need to sign?
The form requires the taxpayer’s signature, but submission must be made by a law‑enforcement agency.
→ Confirm the taxpayer’s signature is present and the agency is the submitter.
Do I need to include the identity of the person who filed the fraudulent return?
The form explicitly excludes perpetrator identity and investigatory information.
→ Ensure no suspect name or details are entered on the form.
Is there a deadline for mailing the form after I sign it?
The IRS only accepts forms received within 120 days of the taxpayer’s signature.
→ Check that the mailing date plus transit time keeps receipt within 120 days.
Can I submit one form for multiple tax years?
The instructions state each additional year requires a separate Form 8821‑A.
→ Prepare a separate form for each tax year needed.
Do I need to send the form to the IRS address listed on the instructions?
The form must be mailed to the IRS RAIVS Team address; other addresses are not accepted.
→ Verify the mailing address matches the one on page 2.
Will the IRS share my information with agencies outside the United States?
The instructions note possible disclosure to foreign countries under tax treaties.
→ Confirm that the law‑enforcement agency’s request aligns with the disclosed purposes.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Form 8821-A – forms received after 120 days are considered invalid by the IRS.
Questions about IRS Form 8821A
What is IRS Form 8821A used for?
This form lets the IRS share your tax return with police if your identity was stolen. A law‑enforcement agency fills it out, you sign it, and the agency sends it to the IRS. The IRS then can give your return details to that agency.
Who must file IRS Form 8821A?
IRS Criminal Investigation and state or local law‑enforcement agencies must file Form 8821‑A.
What information does IRS Form 8821A require?
The form collects the taxpayer’s name, Social Security number, address, phone number, and the tax year of the return, plus the name, title, address, and telephone number of the law‑enforcement official.
When is IRS Form 8821A due?
The IRS must receive the form within 120 days of the date the taxpayer signs it.
Where do I file IRS Form 8821A?
Mail the completed form to the Internal Revenue Service RAIVS Team, Stop 6716 AUSC, Austin, TX 73301.
How do I complete IRS Form 8821A?
Enter the taxpayer’s name, SSN, address, phone number, and the tax year on the Taxpayer Information section. Provide the full name, title, address, and telephone of the state or local law‑enforcement official. The taxpayer signs and dates the authorization with an original signature. The completed form is then mailed to the IRS RAIVS Team by the submitting law‑enforcement agency.
What happens if IRS Form 8821A is filed incorrectly?
Providing false or fraudulent information can lead to penalties, and a form received after 120 days is considered invalid.
Can I sign this form myself or does a law‑enforcement official need to sign?
The form requires the taxpayer’s signature, but submission must be made by a law‑enforcement agency. Confirm the taxpayer’s signature is present and the agency is the submitter.
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